Government Procurement of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Case Overview and Summary

Executive Order No. 665 on Government Procurement of Portable Fire Extinguishers

I. Rationale and Background
- Proliferation of portable fire extinguishers manufactured by firms not licensed by the Philippine Bureau of Standards (PBS) in the market.
- Undermines public interest and constitutes unfair competition against licensed manufacturers/importers.
- Use of substandard fire extinguishers can lead to rapid fire spread due to failure to extinguish fires in their incipient stage.
- Some locally manufactured fire extinguishers contain toxic or hazardous chemicals.
- PBS has issued Standards Administrative Order No. 375 and published its Implementing Rules and Regulations on December 11, 1980.

II. Procurement Requirements (Section 1)
- Government agencies, government-owned or controlled corporations, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays shall procure portable fire extinguishers from:
    a. Locally manufactured by PBS-licensed firms authorized to use the PBS mark. (Section 1a)
    b. Original imports from foreign manufacturers listed and authorized to use proof marks of their country's standards organization, or manufactured in accordance with PBS-recognized standards. (Section 1b)

III. Labeling and Marking Requirements (Section 2)
- Procured fire extinguishers shall not be prohibited types.
- Shall bear labels and markings required by Rule 37 of the Fire Code (PD 1185) and PBS Rules and Regulations implementing SAO No. 375.

IV. Certification of Chemical Contents (Section 3)
- Suppliers shall submit certification on chemical name, formula, weight/volume, and percentage composition of extinguishing agents.
- Certification is an additional documentary requirement before payment.

V. Existing Fire Extinguishers (Section 4)
- Agencies shall require similar certifications from previous suppliers and refilling/recharging firms.
- Suppliers/firms refusing or failing to submit certifications within 15 days shall be barred from transacting with the agency.
- Agency head shall inform Bureau of Supply Coordination for cancellation of Supplier's Identification Certificate.

VI. Implementation (Section 5)
- Bureau of Supply Coordination Director is directed to ensure strict implementation of this Order.